Errormance Task Algebraic Expressions:
Simplifying Sales Tax
Weston is shopping for a new backpack. The backpack he wants costs $25.95. The sales tax in
Weston's city is 6%. What are two different expressions that could be used to calculate the total
cost of the backpack?
• Write two expressions to represent the price of the backpack, b, plus 6% of the cost: the
first expression as a sum and the second as a product.
Complete the table showing equivalent expressions and the total cost of different
backpacks in places with a different sales tax.
.
Expression 1 (sum)
Total
Expression 2 (product) Cost (5)
Backpack
Price
$15.50
$18.75
$20.99
$28.25
$33.40
$40.95
Sales
Tax
8%
15%
4%
6%
5%
9%
• Explain what the simplified expression means in terms of the original cost of the
backpack.